“I don’t know.”
Drawing a deep breath, Laina shoved the grim and panicky feelings she was experiencing into a box at the back of her brain. She’d always excelled at compartmentalizing. It was what gave her an edge in surgery. “What are our next steps? How do we find Jonah? Did he leave any clues in my condo?”
The apologetic glance Silas darted in her direction told her to brace herself. “You may not want to hear this, Laina, but you have to go into hiding. Our best hope is to send the message it’s you in this bed.”
Oh hell no!“Hiding?” She shook her head. “I have a business to run, Silas. I can’t just up and leave.”
Silas winced. “This threat is real, Laina. That card said you’re next.You. I can’t let you return to your daily routine like Jonah’s not out there gunning for you.”
She buried her face in her hands, knowing he was right but hating it with every fiber of her being. “What do you have in mind?”
“There’s a safe house for our kind in rural Wisconsin run by a very powerful ogre called Uncle Monty. He’s offered a place for you and Jason to stay in exchange for your help working in his bar.”
“Wisconsin?” It was too far. She’d have to completely close the clinic. “No, Silas… No.” She stood and slashed her hand through the air between them. “Nonnegotiable. I’m a veterinarian! I have a business, Silas. Patients! I can disguise myself. Pose as another vet temporarily treating my patients while I’m in the hospital.”
Silas frowned, and when he spoke again, his voice was gentle but firm. “With the kind of magic Jonah is packing, he’d sniff you out in no time.” He sighed heavily. “I know this sucks, but it isn’t just about you. Rivergate Manor has been compromised. The pack is in danger. Uncle Monty owns protected acreage enchanted with ancient fairy magic. In exchange for your help with his business, he’s agreed to allow FirebornandRivergate packs to shift there. Cameron and the others will join you during the full moon. We’ve found alternate arrangements for the other packs.”
At that, all she could do was gape. “You want Jason and me to act as servants to an ogre in a…in a tavern in Wisconsin…in exchange for shifting grounds? Can’t someone else sling drinks for the ogre? Where willyoube?”
Silas leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m going undercover to track down Jonah and bring him to justice. I have the skills and the resources.”
As practiced as she was at controlling her emotions, she couldn’t stop her hands from breaking into a sweat at the implications. “Who will lead the pack in your absence?”
“You’re the next eldest. Technically, it should be Jason because he’s the next male heir, but frankly, I trust you more. He hasn’t been…reliable lately. The biggest need will be during the shift. The rest of the time, the pack will be in hiding but will know how to reach me. By working for Monty, you’ll be in a prime position to lead. You’ll already know the layout of the grounds.”
“Silas…”
“Fireborn pack is counting on you, Laina, to keep them safe.”
She rubbed her face. “You’re makingmetemporary alpha?”
He nodded slowly. “I’ve already given the order.”
Fuck, she never thought she’d see the day. Silas must truly find the situation serious to take this step. She squeezed her eyes shut and fought back her urge to agree to his demands.
“What about Cameron? If his pack is shifting there too, why isn’theworking for the ogre?”
“I need someone to lead the Lycanthropic Society in my absence. Everyone in both packs is going into hiding until the shift. Cameron will be the one person who knows where everyone is in case of an emergency.”
“Why can’t I do that?”
“Because that position needs to stay here, at Rivergate. Not only is it Cameron’s home, but you’re supposed to be in a coma. There’s too much of a risk that you’d be identified. This isn’t forever, Laina. I’ve asked a friend to cast a protection spell around his place and Four Paws, but because of the size of the property and the complexity of the spell I’ve requested, she says it could take a few months. But once it’s safe, you can come home.”
“Months?” She rubbed circles over her temples.
“Until and unless we capture or kill Jonah, we’ll have to take precautions.”
The walls pressed in around her, the air thick and hot with her rising panic. She released Stephanie’s hand and rose from her chair, wrapping her arms around her middle and facing her brother head on. “Is there any other option?”
Silas’s answer was quick and concise. “I’m sorry, Laina. No. The decision is made. As soon as Jason finishes securing Becca’s place, he’s meeting us back here to pick you up. You two leave for Wisconsin tonight. I don’t think she’ll be in any danger as a human, but we’ll have a security detail watching her.”
Laina doubted Jonah would waste energy on Becca now that he’d gotten what he wanted from Four Paws and thought Laina was incapacitated. “What about my things?”
With a sigh, Silas shook his head. “You’re supposed to be here, remember?” He gestured toward Stephanie. “Leave it all. I’ve asked Jason to bring cash and a burner phone so you can reach me if you need to. Buy what you need. Uncle Monty will give both of you new identities when you reach Sable Creek.”
“I don’t want to do this,” she murmured.
Silas blinked slowly, his expression grave. “This is how it has to be.”
